Rafael Nadal on Tuesday stunned Serbian Laslo Djere 6-3, 6-4 and 6-2 to move into the second round at the Australian Open, despite the doubts generated by his back problems when serving.
The Spaniard made his way to the second round for the fifteenth time at Melbourne Park, which was his sixteenth participation in the first Grand Slam of the season.
“They have been 15 difficult days for me , I had problems with my back and I had to survive today. I did not want to think about my pain. I am very happy to be in the next round,” Nadal said.
“My back is day by day . It is not perfect we must not hide reality. The blow that really limits me is the serve. Today I found a way to move forward and give myself the opportunity to be here another day, it is not the ideal preparation, but I’m still alive.
“To aspire to the title here I need to have a better back . I’m not going to give up anything. I am confident that the situation will improve and that I can compete with guarantees.” Nadal added.
Nadal also spoke about the unusual situation experienced by tennis players in Australia, playing again surrounded by the public, something that does not happen in many other parts of the world.
“All tennis players need the public in the stands, and all players I think we have missed the atmosphere that exists, but it is time to be responsible and take care of ourselves.” Nadal said.
“Tennis is an important part of our lives, but now we are facing things even more important , and takes a back seat.” he added.
Nadal has frequently played through pain or arrived with stinted preperation many times and he has frequently succeeded at the end.
